An ambulance has been forced off the road after two crew members were attacked while treating a patient in West Belfast.

Crew were called to Finaghy Road North on Wednesday afternoon to reports of a life-threatening call.

But as crew members were treating the patient on the way to the Royal Victoria Hospital, one was punched in the face and chest.

Ruth McNamara, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service's area manager for the South East, told Belfast Live: "The altercation happened in the back of the ambulance on route to hospital.

"It was two crew members involved and they are now off sick, they were down to be on today but now we are staff down and the ambulance is off the road due to damage so we have reduced cover in that area.

"The ambulance service has a zero tolerance policy of violence towards our staff, physical or verbal abuse.

"It has a long term impact on crew and it's difficult. This was a male colleague and female paramedic and it is difficult to be involved in those types of circumstances.

"Many are probably not prepared for something like this during day shifts compared to night and weekend shifts.

"The male paramedic was punched in the face and chest and I do not know how long he will be off for. It could be longer than the physical injuries take to heal, I think he was quite badly shaken."

The attack required police attendance for crew safety and to prevent further damage.

The patient was arrested before being taken on to the Royal Victoria Hospital by a different crew.

The injured crew members, from the Lisburn area, were taken to Lagan Valley Hospital for treatment to their injuries.

A PSNI spokeswoman said: "A 17-year-old male was arrested in South Belfast on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage on the afternoon of Wednesday 17 February.

"The incident follows the report of an assault in an ambulance in the Finaghy Road North area that was received just after 3pm. The ambulance was also damaged in the incident.

"The male was later released on street bail to return for a police interview at a later date."

In a statement the NIAS said: "Any attacks on ambulance personnel are unacceptable and have a lasting impact on our personnel who are victims when in fact they are simply trying to be carers.

"On this occasion the male crew member was physically punched in the chest and face sustaining injuries to his face, the female crew member was badly shaken. These types of attacks leave emotional scars on staff and these scars can remain for some time.

"Both crew members are now on sickness absence. The ambulance vehicle was also damaged during the incident and is off the road for repairs.

"All these types of incidents impact on the Ambulance Service’s ability to respond due to a reduction in staffing and vehicles resources.

"NIAS utterly condemns these assaults on staff who are focussed on providing emergency care to those who are in need of our service.

"As an organisation NIAS will support all measures that may be taken to tackle the problem of attacks on healthcare and emergency staff and we have been active in the DHSSPS-led zero tolerance campaign."